Girl of Kosovo

by Alice Mead

Eleven-year-old Zana enjoys her village life in Kosovo, even though she never feels entirely safe. Her family of Kosovo-born Albanians are ruled by the Serbian police and army. They want to destroy anyone fighting for an independent Kosovo. When bombs explode around Zana’s village, her life fills with terror and tragedy. Still she remembers her father’s “Don’t let them fill your heart with hate.” But that’s hard when those that were her friends are now her enemies.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Albanian Literature, Childrens

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2001

About the author

Alice Mead is the author of many books for young readers, as well as a painter and human rights advocate. Though confined to a wheelchair, she lives independently in Maine.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Albanian who was in the middle of this war while it happened and had family members executed in front of us its never easy to read something the brings back so much memories. I was 10years old back then. I remember vividly family members being slaughtered, women getting raped and killed even while pregnant. Small children massacred including the elderly. We would run one direction then the other. Hide here and there. Starve. Never understood how someone can kill another just because we simply exist :(. Although this book brings some light to the injustice and ethnic cleansing of the Albanian people, there was soooo much more terrifying events that one would never believe happened even if we told them. This was another holocaust only with smaller numbers. Till this day I have nightmares. I truly believe that no one has the right to disturb the peace of a human being let alone kill one. We are all brothers and sisters with one God. I hope and pray that for those of you who never experienced a war, shall never experience it. And for those in today's world (Muslim nations) who are caught in the middle of the same ethnic cleansing I pray that you survive, that your souls may be at ease, that we may one day be able to forgive our enemies, but most importantly I pray for peace. :'(.

[Kaitlyn Burress · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book and I love it very much it is a wonderful historical fiction book by Alice Mead. It is 128 pages of wonderfulness called Girl of Kosovo. It is in 11 year old Zana Dogollis point of view. Zana has 3 brothers and 1 on the way. She has a loving mother and father, but because her home, Albania, is being attacked by Serbia her father and 2 youngest brothers are killed. She is left with her mom and 15 year old brother Illar. Her leg is hurt badly and is sent to a hospital. A few months later she comes home and her new brother has been born. Zanas mother is tired and has stopped caring for Zana as much. She even forgot Zanas 12th birthday and stopped making her eat. Zana feels neglected and stopped eating and only sits on the couch. One day an aunt comes and arranges a doctor to come help Zana. The doctor was nice and helped Zana through tough times. By the end of the book even when they had no house and her doctor had lost his job the doctor still stayed to get a roof on their house and get rid of Zanas virus and hurt leg.

[rara ➶]

what do i even rate this? extremely heartbreaking, yet it's not even half of the horrors that those chetnik criminals did. i read it more just to see what books my library had on albania, and how the narrative is, i would say this was pretty well done. it's strange to read about the crimes committed against your people in english.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking.

It's always hard to read books written about such tragic periods of history, especially when they are based on true accounts. Zana Dugolli is like many other young girls, she has parents who she loves, brothers who annoy her, and friends that she suddenly can't be friends with anymore. Zana and her family must suddenly live different lives, speak different languages, and protect their home and lives from soldiers that want to hurt them all because they are Albanian. As tensions escalate, an explosion kills Zana's father, two brothers, and severely injures her leg. However, this is just the beginning of Zana's story. As the rest of the story unravels, we see the aftermath of the war and ethnic cleansing. From the perspective of a young girl, we deeply explore themes of grief, equality, and retribution.

This book sheds light on a harrowing period of time that, despite happening not too long ago, receives very little media recognition. I found this novel while I was looking for books for an Around the World reading challenge and I'm so grateful I did. I now feel much more informed about an event that I was unfamiliar with and I have a great wealth of respect for the history of Kosovo and the surrounding areas and people that were impacted by the atrocities committed during this period.

Last but not least, I have nothing but praise for Alice Mead. Her work here was fantastic and I would love to read her other novels.

[Vicky Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

War Through the Eyes of a Child

"In war, everyone is an enemy."

Death, maiming, and survival in the remnants of family; a young girl recounts her experience of the Kosovo War of the late nineties. NATO stepped in with bombing to end the violence against the Kosovar Albanians, and an international presence was ushered into Kosovo. Of course, the NATO intervention is still controversial, but to me it is a good thing that modern civilized nations will intervene in genocide. I realize that many may disagree with this but it is my opinion.

I read this short novel for my Journey Around the World in 80 Books, in the Audible format. My next stop is Albania.

[Darlene Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The damage war does to children and families, can be implausible. Unfortunately, the story of Zana and her family is one of many. Although it is a terrible time, eleven-year-old Zana still has hopes and thoughts that all children her age have. The story is written with honesty, and not sugar coated but told in a way young children will understand and relate to. It is about family, bravery, the kindness of strangers and friendship. A piece of history that children need to read about.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This specific part of history is not something that I know a lot about, so I was excited to read this book and learn more. I listened to the audiobook and, admittedly, got distracted quite a bit, so I don't think that I really got the full impact of this book. It has an important message, and I think that the subject matter is complicated enough that kids reading can, with more nuance than usual, picture themselves in her situation and decide what they would do.

[Becky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zana’s story is a picture of forgiveness amidst war. Dear Zana represents all the children who suffered, and all the families who were torn apart by Serbian militants. I have been to Kosovo five times since the Serbian War, and I often find it difficult to stomach and forgive the atrocities endured by the Kosovar and Albanian people. Papa warned,”Don’t let them fill your heart with hate.” So we, too, must forgive those who have persecuted those we love.

[Stefanie Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading books that are windows into a different life. It’s very important to learn about how others live and especially important to learn about the dire and tragic situations children live through. This was an interesting story which I wish was a little longer and a little more detailed. It was a bit choppy.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally avoid historical books but the introduction of this book caught me by heart.
It is heavy topic but from the girl’s perspective, I made it read through.
It was more like tragedy than thrilling read but there was hope to keep going.
It was very meaningful read.
Although I had no experience like her, reading this book allowed me to feel I’m not alone for life challenges whatever I have.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely brought this conflict to life in a realistic, yet age appropriate way.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Emina Ibralic]

Absolutely captivating! Tragic and traumatic. I felt everything this poor girl was going through. I almost cried, highly recommended! It is also a fast read.

[Elizabeth Templer · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful for my AP Human Geo project on Kosovo and a sweet story!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because Kosovo is such a "new" country (7 years old), our library system doesn't have a juvenile non-fiction book which teaches about Kosovo and its culture and history. So I read this children's chapter book written at a 4th grade level, about a Kosovan girl in the 1990's when the Serbs were trying to get ethnic
Albanians out of Kosovo. I know there are 2 sides to every story, and this author (who has worked with humanitarian organizations in Kosovo and based this story on a child she met while there) did put kind Serbs in the story (a neighbor who helped them; a doctor who repaired an injured leg). But the experiences of peasant Kosovan families being kicked out of their villages, pushing wheelbarrows away from their burning houses while fathers and brothers are rounded up and shot, are heart-wrenching. This is part of my daughter's Adriatic South Mission so she might serve in Kosovo (though I'd be happy if she stayed in Albania).

[Jennifer Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say the book is definitely engaging. I really do love the main characters voice, but one thing bothers me--it's almost all narrative. There's very little dialogue. Granted it's a hard story to tell with interaction and dialogue because it's all from this girls head, and she's "alone" most of the novel, but I just keep wanting more interaction.

I've still got 1/4 left to finish, but it's very poignant and also a learning experience. I've learned more than I thought I would--and not as if I was being taught it. It really feels like a story, not history lesson.

Sad and happy--overall I'm really glad I read it.

[Gabbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually liked this book. When I first picked it out I was only reading it for a book project not cause I wanted to. As I was reading it I actually started to like it. I wanted to read it more and more, and ended up getting so hooked I couldn't put it down. This books about a girl who lives in a village full if Serbians and shes an Albanian. Her family gets bombed, and her dad and father die on the scene, and her ankle is tore open by shards of glass and metal. She goes from hospital to hospital trying to get help. Also her best friend is a Serbian girl. I'm not gonna say anymore, I'll let you read it yourself.

[Resa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why, but this came slightly short of my expectations. Don't get me wrong, it was definitely informative and entertaining, and there are still some parts that really stuck with me. But, for some reason, I just thought I would enjoy it more. Maybe it was because I had to read it for school, maybe I just expect more out of most books than I should. Nonetheless, if you haven't read this yet, do so. The subject matter will really pull you in, and the plot keeps you entertained. You will probably get a good deal from reading this. But for me, it was just nothing special.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr 5-8 113 pgs

1999, rural Kosovo. 11 year old Zana remembers when she used to play with her best friend Lena. But now times have changed and that means that Zana, an Albanian, and Lena, a Serb, aren't allowed to be friends anymore. Life becomes even more difficult when their village is attacked. After her father and two of her brothers are killed and Zana is badly injured in an attack Zana struggles to not allow hate to fill her heart and have hope for the future.

A story of survival and healing.

[Josette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book dealt with a very difficult subject--namely, the ethnic persecution of Albanians by the Serbs in Kosovo during the 90's. It would definitely be for an older child, as there are some pretty brutal scenes. But if you wanted an older child to get a taste of this subject matter, or become aware of these events, it's a relatively quick read.

[Jacob Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction book brought a unique perspective to the tragic events in Kosovo in the late 20th century. The central protagonist Zana grapples with grief, loss, injury, and friendship all while Serbian, KLA and NATO forces fight in one of the most well known succession movements of the modern day.

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story written as a girl but in real life it is a boy. a great book telling of truth what the world needs to learn from,may these atrocities stop someday God willing!
I will never forget !

[Jolene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing didn't stand out to me as all that impressive, BUT it was a very compelling and revealing story of the heartbreak the people of Kosovo experienced. Written from the perspective of a child, it is a story rooted in the cold realities of war.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good look at the Kosovo conflict through a young girls eyes. It was a little graphic for the audience it was written for. I'm not sure what age is right to read it. But When ready it was a good read and about a conflict a lot of is know little about.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book; civil war. You notice how bad war is when you're in the shoes of someone else. It does feel different when someone says war, although you're safe.

[acha astecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

meguras air mata.
alice mead sungguh pandai membawa suasana

[Quynh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a children's book but I really loved it. Putting aside political disputes, it was a great book with so much life and sadness.

[Thomas Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turns a terrible war into one that is palatable for young readers by focusing on the titular girl and her family's journey to survive

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was sad, but the message really goes a long way.